Africa Oil Week: 3 - 7 November, Cape Town

Empowering Africa: Africa Oil Week 3-7 November, 2014

The 21st Africa Oil Week/Africa Upstream Conference started in Cape Town earlier this month and hosted delegates from around the world. Speaking at the 3rd Global Women’s Petroleum & Energy Club African Business Breakfast, Nici Jordaan, Business Development Manager at Sasol, commented “It made me appreciate the role we can play in empowering women so that they are better able to uplift, not only their family, but the broader community.”

Unlocking Africa’s potential

Since 2000 Africa has enjoyed a prolonged commodity boom and sustained growth trend, maintaining an average growth rate of about 4% in 2013 – compared to 3% for the global economy. This growth is underpinned by abundant natural resources, improving economic indicators and evidence of maturing political stability. Population growth, alongside a rise in consumption and foreign investment, has been a significant driver in the continent’s growth story.

Stimulating regional co-operation

2014 marks the 10th anniversary of our natural gas project in Mozambique. Developed by Sasol, in co-operation with our partners Companhia Moçambicana de Hidrocarbonetos representing the Mozambican government and the International Finance Corporation, the project was a milestone in regional co-operation and African energy and infrastructure development.

Actively growing our upstream base

Given the fact that nine of the 17 largest gas discoveries in the last five years were in sub-Saharan Africa, we see significant hydrocarbon potential in the region. Accordingly, we continue to explore for hydrocarbons to expand our upstream base and help grow the region into the future.

Growing in a responsible and sustainable manner

Being a responsible and sustainable organisation is paramount to Sasol. In practice, this means we prioritise ways to limit the environmental and social impacts of our activities, ensuring our presence results in positive benefits for our stakeholders. The evidence in achieving this vision, is highlighted by the fact that the World Bank has cited the natural gas project in Mozambique as a benchmark for undertaking new investments in Africa in terms of social, political and environmental criteria.